December 02, 2008

Tollygunge to New Garia metro extension moves ahead

It is reported that the centre, jointly with West Bengal government, is extending the metro from Tollygunge to New Garia.

The project, sanctioned in 1999-2000 and covering 8.60 kilometer, is making progress. It will have 6 stations of which 5 are elevated and 1 on the surface. The cost has been revised to INR 1,032 crore in October 2007 from INR 907.69 crore at the time of sanctioning. Metro Railway Kolkata has taken up responsibility for land survey and acquisition.

A spokesperson from Metro Railway Kolkata said that the centre, as the implementing agency, was taking 67% stake on the project cost, with the state sharing one third. He added that the fund did not include the cost of seven new rakes costing INR 200 crore, ordered by ICF Chennai for running trains in the extended portion.

The New Garia will be constructed on the surface structure and the other 5 are on an elevated structure over Tolly Nullah. The section will be an elevated structure and alignment will run along Tolly Nullah. The extension will bring South 24 Pargana districts closer to Kolkata's central business area and reduce pressure on Sealdah's south suburban section.

Rites Limited has been awarded the contract. The overall progress of civil engineering works so far is more than 90%. The spokesperson stated that the railways had decided to commence limited services up to Naktala station by September 2008. The whole expansion is tentatively expected to complete by 2009 end.